The city’s brightest and best companies and entrepreneurs will be honoured again in 2022 as the ever-popular Plymouth Live Business Awards return with new categories and a glitzy live ceremony in a new location. Nominations are open now and businesses big and small are being urged to put themselves forward.
The awards were launched in front of dozens of business movers and shakers at a breakfast event at City College Plymouth’s PL1 Restaurant. Before tucking into coffee and treats, specially invited guests heard how the awards had celebrated the great and good of the city’s business community since 2011 and had played a key role in promoting Plymouth and its economy.
And 2022 will be no different with nominations being sought from today across 12 categories including:
Apprenticeship Development Award
Built Environment and Infrastructure Award
Corporate Social Responsibility Award
Environmental Success of the Year
Innovation Award
Manufacturing Business of the Year
Lifetime Achievement Award
SME Business of the Year
Start-Up Business of the Year
Young Business Person of the Year
With two new categories joining them this year:
- Diversity and Inclusion Award - aimed at rewarding organisations with a truly diverse workforce.
- Social Enterprise Award - for businesses making a contribution to the city’s economy - and community.
Entries can be made from now until July 14, and the process has been made easier than ever. For details of how to enter simply click here.
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT THE 2022 PLYMOUTHLIVE BUSINESS AWARDS - JUST CLICK HERE
Judges will meet and announce the shortlist on July 29. Finalists will be invited to a drinks reception on September 8 and winners will be announced at the glamorous black-tie awards ceremony on October 6. It is being held at a new venue this year: Plymouth Argyle’s Home Park Stadium.
The awards are supported this year by category sponsors BD Plymouth, YGS Landscapes and Cornwall College, with headline sponsors City College Plymouth and the University of Plymouth.
Pauline Hands, City College Plymouth’s executive of commercial operations, told the launch gathering that the awards represented the city’s annual celebration of business and the college’s aim was for the city to be a world leader for industry. She said it taught more than 400 courses, including the new T Levels, and said: “We are here to help employers develop and grow and we want to be part of that journey.”
Rich Adams, the university’s business engagement manager, revealed how the institution pumped £900m annually into the city economy, supporting nearly 9,500 jobs. The university engages with 4,000 businesses and has supported 800 to develop new products, services and processes. He said: “These awards are an opportunity to showcase the best of Plymouth and show what a brilliant city we have and generate the entrepreneurs of the future.”
Since 2011, the awards have honoured a who’s who of the city’s top entrepreneurs and businesses. Previous winners include giants such as Princess Yachts, Babcock International and Plymouth Citybus, and start-ups which turned into major companies, such as Burts Snacks, iOutlet and CMO. Winners have come from manufacturing, construction, tech, services, retail, hospitality and more. Among individuals honoured have been Adrian Vinken, Larry Speare, Suzanne Sparrow and Chris Dawson.
The awards were a huge success when they returned in 2021, after a Covid-enforeced hiatus, with law firm Wolferstans Solicitors and engineering consultancy Service Design Solution named as businesses of the year. The coveted Lifetime Achievement honour went to David Young, founder and managing director of the Una Group, and joining him on the winners podium were a galaxy of stars from the city’s business firmament, including the mighty Babcock International Group Plc, to the youthful Pollenize CIC and Paige Brown of Mila’s Bakery.
So who will join the list of distinguished winners in 2022? It’s up to all of you in Plymouth’s business family. So, please, start nominating now by clicking here.
